BOSSES at CovPress claim they have weathered the storm and business is starting to pick up – despite temporary problems which led to lay-offs this week.

According to managers at the Burnsall Road firm in Canley, the order books are beginning to look healthier after eight months of uncertainty.

The Coventry Telegraph reported yesterday that workers at the company had been sent home earlier this week due to a lack of work.

But bosses at CovPress say only 108 people out of 300 workers were affected by the industrial action at a French supply firm – which had a knock-on effect to their contracted work with Nissan in Barcelona.

They believe that staff, who have spent months on reduced working hours, should be back to full-time hours very soon.

Mike Gillett, managing director for CovPress, said: “The situation was that on Tuesday we spoke to workers and told them about the situation with Nissan.

"Not all 315 workers were affected, it was about a third of our workforce who were told that it would be their last shift until the dispute was resolved.

“I can understand that the workforce is upset.

"They have suffered a lot in the past eight months and we know it has been tough.

"But the future is starting to look bright and we have ridden the storm. Things are looking a lot better.”

Two months ago, the company, which presses parts for firms which supply components to car and van manufacturers, won a major contract with Nissan after a Spanish supplier went bust – bringing with it a huge boost for the company.

Added to an impressive Honda contract, workers were expected to return from a three-day to a five-day week at the start of this month.

However, when a French supply company was affected by industrial action and went into administration, CovPress had to reduce its supply.

Mr Gillett added: “It was very unfortunate.

"We had had a tough eight months and we were starting to see an improvement when this company went into administration.

"But all staff are back to work and we are happy that things are looking a lot better.”